Advent begins this upcoming Sunday!
The length of Advent always varies from 22-28 days, beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30th) and embracing four Sundays. The first day of Advent can fall as early as November 27th or as late as December 3rd. This year Advent begins on Sunday, November 29th.
Every Advent our family counts down the days until Christmas with picture books, Advent Calendars, and the Jesse Tree. Years ago, when we didn’t have enough Christmas themed picture books to wrap one for each day of Advent, I would check some Christmas books out from the library just before Advent began, using Christmas Mosaic as a guide. We have added many books to our home library since then, giving one Christmas themed book to each of our children on the feast of St. Nicholas, and our collection has definitely grown. (You can find this year’s St. Nick books here!)
I currently keep all of our Christmas picture books on the bottom two shelves of a corner bookshelf upstairs in our school room… In the past I have filled our Advent basket with Christmas Mosaic titles and our children’s 35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books. One year I picked twenty-six of MY favorites (although I still find new favorites to add to my list each year!) and one year I left the choosing up to my husband and our oldest daughter. We’ve had great lists the last few years too: 2017, 2018 and 2019.
This year I branched out a bit from the usual and decided to include some other excellent Catholic books that I really wanted to pull off the shelf and read to my children this Advent. Here is the list:
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
November 29 – 1st Sunday of Advent: The Wonder Story – set up Advent Calendars and Jesse Tree
November 30 – Feast of St. Andrew: Old Testament Rhymes
December 3: The Miracle of St. Nicholas
December 4 – First Friday: In the Candles Glow
December 5 – First Saturday: The Baker’s Dozen – write letters to Christ Child/Saint Nicholas, bake Speculaas or St. Nicholas Cookies, and decorate St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins to give to others
December 6 – 2nd Sunday of Advent – Feast of St. Nicholas: St. Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins – St. Nicholas Brunch
December 7 – Feast of St. Ambrose: The Attic Saint – Bake a Honeycomb Cake
December 8 – Immaculate Conception: Nikola and the Monk – Decorate Christ Candle
December 9 – Feast of St. Juan Diego: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Pop-Up Book)
December 10: Kristoph and the First Christmas Tree
December 11: The Christmas Cobwebs
December 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Bambinelli Sunday – Las Mananitas/Holy Mass at Dawn, Our Lady of Guadalupe Brunch, Prepare for Santa Lucia Day
December 13 – 3rd Sunday of Advent/Gaudete Sunday and Feast of St. Lucy: Lucia Saint of Light
December 14: Saint Francis Celebrates Christmas
December 16 – Ember Wednesday: Catholic Nursery Rhymes
December 17 – O Sapientia: An Alphabet of the Altar And Other Holies
December 18 – O Adonai and Ember Friday: A Child’s Rule of Life
December 19 – O Radix Jesse and Ember Saturday: Marta and the Manger Straw
December 20 – 4th Sunday of Advent – O Clavis David: Silent Night: The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol
December 21 – O Oriens and Winter Solstice: The Angels’ Alphabet
December 22 – O Rex Gentium: Twas’ the Evening of Christmas
December 23 – O Emmanuel: The First Christmas
December 24 – Vigil of Christmas: The Wonder Days
About five or six years ago I switched to brown paper along with purple and pink ribbon, instead of the original purple and pink wrapping paper I would use years ago… Sometimes I use brown paper bags and sometimes I pick up a roll of brown craft paper from the craft store to use along with the ribbons I reuse every year and our homemade labels!
As always, we’ll unwrap and read one book each night during Advent, following our family rosary. The rest of our book collection will be placed in additional baskets to read during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
If you’d like to use my little labels too, you can download my Advent Book Basket Labels for 2020 over at Dropbox.
.: ADVENT BOOK BASKET GIVEAWAY :.
Prize #1: Premium Fabric Felt Advent Calendar (value $34.95)
**I’ll share a few more pictures of this Advent Calendar soon, and how I’m planning to use it this year!**
Congratulations, Nicole Ernest!
“Great list and ideas! Thank you!”
Prize #2: Three BRAND NEW books from Ignatius Press!
and The Adventures of Loupio, Volume 5: The Cave (value $33.97)
Congratulations, Tonia!
“Thank you for all of the great inspiration to form our children in thier faith.”
Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below
For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives:
You can find the rest of our booklists here.
P.S. There is still time to enter the St. Nicholas Giveaway!
Love your book lists!
2020-11-23 19:16:33
Thank you for sharing your book list!
2020-11-23 19:17:05
Love this post! Thank you for all of the ideas!
2020-11-23 19:34:01
Great list and ideas! Thank you!
2020-11-23 19:34:22
I love Shower of Roses – especially all your booklists! Many of your titles have been read during Advent, Lent, and throughout the year. Thank you so much!
2020-11-23 19:52:18
Your blog is always my first stop for book ideas! At least a few of your suggestions make it into my kids' christmas piles every year.
2020-11-23 19:58:32
I always look forward to your lists. Thank you!
2020-11-23 19:59:56
Advent must be so exciting at your house!
2020-11-23 20:08:02
Love all the books! You’re blog is the first place I go for ideas.
2020-11-23 20:11:00
This is a great blog, St. Therese is my favorite saint as well. I would love to win any of the prizes, but expecially the books!
2020-11-23 20:24:33
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ideas. The Advent book basket is one of my children's favorite traditions.
2020-11-23 20:25:59
Oh, that Advent Calendar is just lovely! My youngest would love it.
2020-11-23 20:27:50
Thank you for sharing!! Love your lists!
2020-11-23 21:56:01
Love your lists! Thank you for another lovely post and so many great traditions!
2020-11-23 22:00:27
I have absolutely loved your books lists for years. And we wrap books every advent thanks to you too! It's been getting easier as we own more and more christmas books now and don't have to sniper hold them at the library. 😉
2020-11-23 22:16:00
Always a wonderful list Jessica. Thank you!
2020-11-23 22:23:15
Thank you for all your book lists!!! They have helped me fill our shelves with good books for the kids.
2020-11-23 22:45:04
Have a blessed and peaceful Advent. Thank you for offering these giveaways.
2020-11-23 22:51:42
Thank you for ideas!!
2020-11-23 23:32:28
Thank you for posting these every year!
2020-11-24 00:13:52
Love your booklists and thank you for the labels. My son looks forward to unwrapping books every advent.
2020-11-24 00:15:45
Thanks for doing this – all of your give aways are always so amazing. God bless!
2020-11-24 00:28:51
Love these posts and helps me get focused on Advent prep! Thanks Jessica!
2020-11-24 00:33:03
Would love 3 new books from Ignatius Press! You can never have too many books, right? Thank you!
2020-11-24 00:47:29
Thanks for a great post! I REALLY LOVE your blog !!!
2020-11-24 01:11:40
I too enjoy seeing your book lists to celebrate the liturgical year. Thank you!
2020-11-24 01:47:12
Thank you for these offerings! God Bless You!
2020-11-24 01:51:47
I always love reading about your Advent book basket. Thanks for the giveaway!
2020-11-24 01:54:27
Wonderful as always!
2020-11-24 01:58:40
Books!
2020-11-24 02:43:36
Thank you for your suggestions!
2020-11-24 02:44:14
We love your book lists and Catholic traditions!! My oldest loves the Loupio books. Thank you so much for sharing all that you do!
2020-11-24 02:51:00
What a blessing you have been to me in my journey as a Catholic homeschooling mom. Thank you for sharing so generously of your time, talent, and treasure (resources, anecdotes, and inspiration). 🙂
2020-11-24 03:47:49
Thank you for the thoughtful list, ideas and giveaway!
2020-11-24 04:07:49
Your blog posts give me so much inspiration and ideas in making my family's Advent that much more special. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.
2020-11-24 04:38:15
Thank you for sharing again this year! It's now one of my kids' favorite traditions, thanks to you 🙂 God bless you! (PS – the new books in the giveaway look so intriguing!!)
2020-11-24 04:41:09
Great prizes!
2020-11-24 05:01:40
Our family has been richly blessed by your booklists. Thank you for sharing them.
2020-11-24 05:54:18
I always love your lists and recommendations!
2020-11-24 06:54:21
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful ideas throughout the years!! We have been blessed to incorporate some in our home.
2020-11-24 07:37:04
Thank you – you always have the best book recommendations!
2020-11-24 12:11:09
Thank for all this ideas! and your suggestions….. God bless you and your family!!!
2020-11-24 12:59:20
We have so enjoyed starting this tradition in our home. Thank you for taking the time to share your list!!
2020-11-24 13:04:09
Thanks for always sharing these. I look forward to seeing what you have planned.
2020-11-24 13:43:39
Great Books!
2020-11-24 14:17:01
I love your book lists! Thank you for this post. I now have a few books to give for Christmas gifts to family and friends 🙂
2020-11-24 14:32:43
We’re wrapping up our books again this year. It’s been a few years since we’ve done that. Thanks for all your suggestions and tips! God bless you guys!!!
2020-11-24 14:33:08
Thank you, as always, for your wonderful book list and for motivating me to do this again this year with my family even though my children are getting older!! Thank you for always thinking of us and sharing all of your wonderful ideas and taking the time to organize it all for us! God bless and reward you. Wishing you a fruitful Advent season with all of your children at home!
2020-11-24 15:18:02
Your book posts are my absolute favorite of all your posts! I keep wanting to invite myself to your home to spend time looking/reading your books. Blessings to you and your family!
2020-11-24 15:33:06
Everything looks amazing as always!
2020-11-24 17:06:57
Thank you for these book lists! They are so helpful to our family!
2020-11-24 19:20:31
I use your Advent book labels every year! I'm printing them right now!
2020-11-24 20:18:01
Thank you for the chance to win! I would prefer the #2 package if chosen.
2020-11-24 20:58:39
Awesome!!
2020-11-24 21:05:55
I'm feeling like we need Advent even more this year. Thank you for sharing!
2020-11-24 21:54:43
Love reading and seeing your book list. Always so helpful. Thank You Marion
2020-11-24 22:17:38
I always look forward to your book lists! Thank you!
2020-11-24 23:02:13
Your book lists have been a great inspiration to me over the years!
2020-11-25 00:06:36
Love this idea!
2020-11-25 02:36:56
I love all your book lists! I reread them every Advent/Christmas
2020-11-25 02:52:47
You have such a lovely family and beautiful traditions! Thank you for the inspiration you provide! These new books look fantastic!
2020-11-25 04:17:49
It's always fun to read through your book suggestions and get ideas for our family's collection.
2020-11-25 05:05:07
I love this! Is it too late to start when your youngest is 12 and your oldest has flown the coop?! 😂
2020-11-25 12:18:32
In years past, I was anxiously putting our advent plans and lists together the day after All Saints Day. This year, today is the day. Your post is perfect timing!
2020-11-25 13:52:54
I don't know how you find so many wonderful new books each year, but I'm very thankful you do! Jessica, you are such a blessing to us all!
2020-11-25 14:51:23
Another wonderful book list and giveaway!
2020-11-25 15:14:53
Thank you for all of the great inspiration to form our children in thier faith.
2020-11-25 20:32:12
I look forward to your booklists every year!!! The Advent Basket is a something new I added last year and the kids loved it.
2020-11-25 21:05:44
Thanks for the wonderful ideas and lovely giveaway!
2020-11-25 23:59:49
So many great ideas. Looking forward to seeing a few more to our collection. Thank you for all the recommendations!
2020-11-26 02:10:01
Always a great list! And thank you for the printable.
2020-11-26 04:03:35
Happy Advent!
2020-11-26 20:33:31
Such beautiful books!
2020-11-27 16:06:58
Always a great assortment of books and suggestions for all ages. Thank You Jessica.
2020-11-27 17:45:28
I would love #1! Also, will you be posting Christmas ideas this year? I look forward to these!
2020-11-27 20:13:21
I'm working hard to pull the post together!! Hoping to have it finished tonight or tomorrow! 🙂
2020-11-28 20:54:27
Looks like I'm adding to our book collection this year 📖
2020-11-27 21:40:25
great book list. thanks for sharing!
2020-11-28 09:33:00
Thank you for your lists. I always find new books on them to borrow/buy.
2020-11-28 12:05:42
Love being able to print the labels each year – thank you!
2020-11-28 16:18:06
I am really grateful for all the book lists.
2020-11-29 02:12:51
You have the best of all booklists! Thank you for doing the labels every year, too!
2020-11-29 18:42:41
I really enjoy coming to your site – I was sharing on social media long before I found about your amazing giveaways! Thank you for the gift list – esp the men and older teens – they can be tricky!!
2020-11-29 23:15:42
Love your blog and all the Catholic gift ideas especially for children!
2020-11-30 01:06:57
I love how you gift wrapped these!!! Can’t wait!
2020-11-30 01:45:57
We love your book labels. We have used them every year. Thank you so much
2020-11-30 02:14:03
Have a blessed Advent!
2020-11-30 02:30:23
What a list! Thanks.
2020-11-30 02:40:47
Every new liturgical season means that I come back to your blog a few times at least! Love that you share all this so it makes it so much easier for so many of us!
2020-11-30 02:41:04
Such a lovely list of books! Thank you for hosting the giveaway!
2020-11-30 02:52:38
Awesome post!
2020-11-30 03:05:21
Great resources! Thank you!
2020-11-30 03:10:46
Look forward to these post every year!!! Thank you!!
2020-11-30 03:14:23
What a beautiful Advent calendar!
2020-11-30 04:28:45
I've wrapped up our books for this year, but now I'm going to have a whole new list to look for!
2020-11-30 04:35:35
Love all the suggestions! Especially for the older boys, as mine are about the same ages. As for the giveaway, my favorite prizes are #4, #13, #9 and #20. Thanks as always for the beautiful ideas. I have followed you for quite a few years now!
2020-11-30 05:32:27
Thank you for always sharing these! I appreciate the ideas and links so much!
2020-11-30 05:41:19
Hi Jessica! I love your book selection this year! I have a question. Do you buy new books for the Advent book basket and also for The Feast of St. Nicholas or do you just buy new books for The Feast of St. Nicholas and rewrap books each year according to what you want your family to read. I have grown my collection so much from all your awesome suggestions!!! Thank you for sharing!!! Happy Advent! Kris
2020-12-03 23:02:10
Thank you, Kris! Occasionally I will slip in a new book, but generally I only buy new books for the feast of St. Nicholas and rewrap books from our collection for our Advent Book Basket countdown to Christmas! I try to match the books up with our Advent plans and the upcoming feast days.
2020-12-04 16:24:38
Test
2021-02-06 03:11:19
Hi Nancy! I am seeing these comments. Hope it's working for you!
2021-02-06 03:35:26